I really wouldn't call it a nerf since how do we know it was meant to be that way? You get gear occasionally (think FFXI quests) but it's more on the crafting side of rewards now basically telling you: "Get to crafting gear!"

i was offered the exact same gear rewards for their corresponding leves in OB. i thought i missed out on one since i dropped it and i ended up getting it again on the same leve the very next time i did it.